A5090148629- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Myxozoan Parasites in Aquatic Species
- Genetically Modified Organisms Research
- Plant and fungal interactions
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction
- Gut microbiota and health
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
2014-2025
Oregon State University
2016-2025
University of Missouri
2012
Missouri Department of Conservation
2010
Culture Resource
2009
Mantel-based tests have been the primary analytical methods for understanding how landscape features influence observed spatial genetic structure. Simulation studies examining approaches highlighted major challenges associated with use of such and fueled debate on when Mantel test is appropriate genetics studies. We aim to provide some clarity in this using spatially explicit, individual-based, simulations examine effects following performance methods: (1) configuration, (2) nonequilibrium,...
Studies in laboratory animals demonstrate important relationships between environment, host traits, and microbiome composition. However, host-microbiome natural systems are understudied. Here, we investigate metapopulation-scale variation a wild mammalian host, the desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni). We sought to identify over-represented microbial clades understand how landscape variables traits influence composition across metapopulation. To address these questions, performed...
Abstract Context Functional connectivity—the degree to which landscape features facilitate or impede movement among resource patches—affects animal survival, health, and ability cope with environmental changes. This is particularly important in heterogeneous landscapes prone rapid change, such as intensively managed forests. Objectives We aimed quantify the effects of forest canopy cover roads on foraging two closely related bumble bee species ( Bombus vosnesenskii caliginosus ) coniferous...
While translocations can be effective for augmenting and restoring wild populations, they disrupt native patterns of genetic structure, diversity, local adaptation, thereby hampering conservation efforts. Managers must weigh potential costs benefits choosing well-differentiated donor individuals that could confer a much-needed boost to diversity while avoiding outbreeding depression or ecological mismatch. This decision is more daunting when taxonomy unclear debated: bighorn sheep (Ovis...
Determining how species move across complex and fragmented landscapes interact with human-made barriers is a major research focus in conservation. Studies estimating functional connectivity from movement, dispersal or gene flow usually rely on single study period rarely consider variation over time. We contrasted genetic structure for metapopulation of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) using genotypes collected 2000-2003 2013-2015. Based the recently observed but unexpected...
Abstract Habitat fragmentation is an important driver of biodiversity loss and can be remediated through management actions aimed at maintenance natural connectivity in metapopulations. Connectivity may protect populations from infectious diseases by preserving immunogenetic diversity disease resistance. However, could exacerbate the risk spread across vulnerable populations. We tracked a novel strain Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae metapopulation desert bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis nelsoni Mojave...
Landscape genetic studies based on neutral markers have contributed to our understanding of the influence landscape composition and configuration gene flow variation. However, potential for species adapt changing landscapes will depend how natural selection influences adaptive We demonstrate resistance models can be combined with simulations incorporating explore spread variation is affected by characteristics, using desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) in three differing regions...
Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) were not known to live on Tiburón Island, the largest island in Gulf of California and Mexico, prior surprisingly successful introduction 20 individuals as a conservation measure 1975. Today, stable population ∼500 supports limited big game hunting restocking depleted areas Mexican mainland. We discovered fossil dung morphologically similar that bighorn mat deposit from Mojet Cave, mountains Island. To determine origin this cave we compared pellet shape fecal...
Abstract Although examples are rare, conflicts between species of conservation concern can result from habitat restoration that modifies to benefit a single taxon. A forest program designed enhance for endangered red‐cockaded woodpeckers ( Picoides borealis ) may be reducing available the eastern spotted skunk Spilogale putorius ), forest‐adapted sympatric occurs in Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas, U.S.A. At small scales, skunks select early successional with structural diversity, whereas...
Assessments of organisms' vulnerability to potential climatic shifts are increasingly common. Such assessments often conducted at the species level and focused primarily on magnitude anticipated climate change (i.e., exposure). However, wildlife management would benefit from population-level that also incorporate measures local or regional for organismal adaptation change. Estimates genetic diversity, gene flow, landscape connectivity can address this need complement exposure estimates...
ABSTRACT Translocation is an important management tool that has been used for >50 years in Arizona, USA, to increase bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ) population densities and restore herds suitable habitat throughout their historical range. Yet, translocation can also alter the underlying genetic diversity spatial structure of managed wildlife species beneficial or detrimental ways. To evaluate long‐term effect actions on sheep, we characterized statewide using microsatellite...
Determining the demographic impacts of wildlife disease is complex because extrinsic and intrinsic drivers survival, reproduction, body condition, other factors that may interact with vary widely. Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infection has been linked to persistent mortality in juvenile bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ), although appears widely across subspecies, populations, outbreaks. Hypotheses for variation range from interactions nutrition, population density, genetic pathogen, host,...
ABSTRACT Wildlife managers often need to estimate population abundance make well‐informed decisions. However, obtaining such estimates can be difficult and costly, particularly for species with small populations, wide distributions, spatial clustering of individuals. For this reason, DNA surveys capture–recapture modeling has become increasingly common where direct observation is consistently or counts are variable. We compared the precision, as indicated by coefficient variation (CV),...
Introduction Terrestrial species in riverine ecosystems face unique constraints leading to diverging patterns of population structure, connectivity, and disease dynamics. Desert bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis nelsoni ) Grand Canyon National Park, a large native the southwestern USA, offer opportunity evaluate processes remote system with ongoing anthropogenic impacts. We integrated non-invasive, invasive, citizen-science methods address questions on abundance, distribution, status, genetic...
Abstract Objective We explore apparent infection of Salmincola californiensis arising during investigations involving this lernaeopodid copepod parasitic on Pacific salmon and trout Oncorhynchus spp. Methods noted occasional unusual coloration adult female copepods collected from the wild. These females were bright blue pink in contrast to cream white characteristic copepod. also observed that similar color patterns developed under laboratory settings when eggs held for hatching. In paired...
Abstract Cryptic, nocturnal or rare species pose a conservation challenge. Aardvarks ( Orycteropus afer ) occur across sub‐Saharan Africa, but local regional distribution is frequently unclear. We investigated the habitat relationships of aardvarks within Kruger National Park, South using non‐invasive driving and walking surveys aardvark sign. used generalised linear Maxent models in an exploratory analysis to evaluate our predictions that suitable would be influenced by elevation,...
Wildlife conservationists and managers often need to estimate abundance demographic parameters monitor the status of populations, ensure that these populations are meeting management goals. DNA capture-recapture surveys have become increasingly common in situations where physical consistently difficult or counts small variable. Desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus eremicus) inhabit rugged terrain, occur at low population densities, demonstrate cryptic behaviors, making monitoring assessing...
ABSTRACT American beaver ( Castor canadensis ) have been translocated for population restoration, reduction of human‐wildlife conflict, and enhancement ecosystem function. Yet few studies assessed dispersal beaver, making it difficult to determine at what scale translocations are appropriate. Genetic can provide inferences about gene flow, thus dispersal. We used a landscape genetic approach evaluate whether features influenced flow among in the Coast Range western Oregon, USA, using samples...
Las especies animales que viven en poblaciones pequeñas con áreas de distribución reducidas pueden ser especialmente vulnerables a la pérdida y fragmentación del hábitat. Investigamos estructura genética las tuzas (Thomomys bulbivorus), una especie endémica valle Willamette, Oregon, zona muy afectada por el desarrollo humano. Analizamos diversidad genética, así como influencia paisaje flujo genético T. bulbivorus gran parte su área distribución, utilizando marcadores microsatélites...